"The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others"

Aesop’s observation points toward a fundamental aspect of human psychology, revealing how personal dissatisfaction or misery often leads individuals to seek solace externally, sometimes in dubious ways. When someone is unhappy, their own discomfort can generate a sense of isolation or inadequacy. Rather than addressing the root causes of their sadness, they may subconsciously search for equivalence in the experiences of others. Seeing people suffer similar or even greater adversities can provide a peculiar sense of validation, diminishing the intensity or uniqueness of their own pain.

This tendency is tied to the concept of schadenfreude, the German word for taking pleasure in another’s misfortune. While it might seem spiteful or even cruel, it arises not solely from malice, but from an attempt to balance the emotional scales. If unhappiness makes a person feel inferior or unworthy, the suffering of others can briefly level the playing field, making their own plight feel more tolerable or less exceptional. It reassures the unhappy that hardship is universal, and perhaps not a personal failing.

Social dynamics also play a role. Human beings are deeply influenced by comparison. In cultures that prioritize competition and achievement, the successes and failures of others often become benchmarks for self-worth. When life becomes especially challenging, seeing others stumble can release the pressure of constant comparison, mitigating feelings of envy, guilt, or despair.

However, this kind of comfort is ultimately hollow and fleeting. Gaining solace from another’s hardship does little to resolve the roots of personal suffering, nor does it offer genuine connection or understanding. In fact, it may even breed more negativity, reinforcing cycles of comparison and resentment. Aesop’s words gently warn against seeking satisfaction in the pain of others, suggesting that true happiness lies instead in empathy, compassion, and the pursuit of inner peace, rather than in the misfortunes that befall those around us.